Kobe Bryant gave an assist to fellow Lakers legend Magic Johnson’s son, EJ, who recently strutted down the Sunset Strip in a fur coat and a handbag and holding the hand of his boyfriend.

“Of course Magic is supportive of and loves his son,” Bryant told TMZ. “Why should anyone be surprised?”

He added, “What I can’t tolerate is a lack of tolerance.”

Bryant’s sentiment is worth noting in a sporting world that’s wrestling with acceptance of homosexual culture.

Incidentally, he was fined $100,000 in 2011 when he referred to a referee as a “f–king f—-t.” The basketball player apologized the next day and, clearly learning from his mistake, Bryant scolded two fans in February on Twitter for their negative use of the word “gay.”

The macho-man climate of sports appears to be changing, as a recent report suggested that a well-known and current NFL player is strongly considering coming out as gay because he feels the time is right.

Johnson made headlines yesterday when he told TMZ that he and his wife Cookie “love EJ and support him in every way” and “We’re very proud of him.”